[ Spilling his guts seems to have calm the compulsion to voice everything he's thinking. So he manages not to just dive into questions or talk about how he's not even sure what to make of it.
Jim sits firmly in the can probably get away with almost anything box with Zell. House was prodding into things he knew would hurt Jim, and Jim dished his medicine back at him. House actually retreated which hits on just how much it hit him.
He feels pretty...mixed if he's honest. ]
Yeah, I saw.
[ Sliding his fingers through Jim's hair. ]
What do you feel about it? You okay with how you took care of it?
[ That's not actually an answer; it's barely even a challenge. Jim huffs and is grateful that whatever the magic of the night was, it seems to be wearing off. ]
He hit me where it hurt for no reason. We were doing okay before that.
[ Zell leans back for a moment as he tries to figure out what Jim means by that. Searching his expression for a moment. An idea does pop in his head as he places his hand on Jim's shoulder. ]
About you? Nope. Not wrong.
[ He will fight Jim if this has to do with putting his boyfriend down in any way. ]
[ Jim gives it a moment's consideration. He calls to mind things that hadn't come spilling out tonight, thankfully, and measures how badly he wants to tell Zell about them. ]
-It's broken, I think. Or we talked our way out of it.
[ He misses it because of how close he is. Nuzzling up against his face as he kisses his cheek. ]
Love you, too.
[ Enough talking until he decides to start talking about how much he loves Jim's eye and hands quietly to keep it between them in their own little world on the empty racks. ]
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It sounded like some serious stuff. Do I need to go teach anyone some manners?
[ You know, like House? Even if Jim did manage to turn things around on the grouch, him slinging it at Jim like that in the first place... ]
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No. I think I took care of it.
[ He does look up, to see what Zell thinks of how he took care of it. Jim's aware it really wasn't the greatest way to handle the situation. ]
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Jim sits firmly in the can probably get away with almost anything box with Zell. House was prodding into things he knew would hurt Jim, and Jim dished his medicine back at him. House actually retreated which hits on just how much it hit him.
He feels pretty...mixed if he's honest. ]
Yeah, I saw.
[ Sliding his fingers through Jim's hair. ]
What do you feel about it? You okay with how you took care of it?
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[ That's not actually an answer; it's barely even a challenge. Jim huffs and is grateful that whatever the magic of the night was, it seems to be wearing off. ]
He hit me where it hurt for no reason. We were doing okay before that.
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[ Tipping Jim's head up to meet his eyes as he brushes his thumb against his cheekbone. ]
I don't give a shit if his feelings are hurt.
[ Bumping his forehead against Jim's. ]
What I care about is how you feel, Stars. If you're good with how it went, then I'll have your back.
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[ Maybe he's not a great person, but if Zell doesn't care, isn't disappointed in him? Screw 'em. ]
Don't think he's going to bring it up again.
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Hopefully he knows better.
[ Cause he might have to give him a lesson anyways. Huffing out for a moment and then nuzzling against Jim's neck. ]
Everything else went okay? Did you share anything else?
[ He's trying to figure out if Jim is okay. If there were any conversations that could have been upsetting. ]
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[ Even if Jim weren't aware of how much he wears his issues on his sleeve, Beckett's attitude and House's would've clued him in.
He's quiet for a moment, and then there's a subtle change in his tone. ]
You were wrong, you know.
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About you? Nope. Not wrong.
[ He will fight Jim if this has to do with putting his boyfriend down in any way. ]
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[ Maybe that too, but it's not what Jim meant. He reaches out and tucks Zell's hair behind his ear to get a good look at both eyes. ]
About picking up the pieces. It's not me.
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It takes him a moment and then he remembers his conversation with Beckett. ]
You help me out a whole hell of a lot, Stars. You keep pushing me forward and give me something to work towards.
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[ Jim knows it's true, at least to an extent, but: ]
You're the strongest person I know, though, and you've done at least as much picking up as I have.
cheese
[ Bumping his nose against Jim's. ]
You keep my head straight and give me strength.
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[ Jim tilts up to kiss Zell's forehead, right between his eyebrows. ]
But if I can be your compass, then... good. I just want you to get out of here whole.
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You know I want you to make it out whole, too. [ Whole Goods. ]
Do you still feel to compelled to tell the truth?
[ It's lightened up considerably since sharing stuff on the network but he wants to check if it's true with Jim too. ]
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-It's broken, I think. Or we talked our way out of it.
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Are you going to believe you're the best thing in my life?
[ Kissing the corner of his mouth. ]
Want to share anything else, Stars?
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Just that I love you. And that I think maybe we've done enough talking for one night.
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Love you, too.
[ Enough talking until he decides to start talking about how much he loves Jim's eye and hands quietly to keep it between them in their own little world on the empty racks. ]